As
the weather gets colder we need to make sure that our beloved pets
are healthy, warm and able to cope with the adverse weather.
Walking in the Wind, Wet and Snow
Snow can quickly build up round your dog’s feet and legs and
even their bellies, depending on how much snow there is, or how
tall your dog is. There are various items of dog clothing that can
help protect their feet and legs, from little boots to water proof
suits.
After
each walk, check your dog's coat for any entangled objects
and check between your dog’s pads for stones or hardened
mud. Clean between their pads and toes to prevent salt and
ice from causing irritation. A warm bowl of water should do
the trick. Don’t use hot water - you don’t want
to give your pooch chilblains or cause any discomfort.
If you walk your dog near water, don’t let your dog
off the lead. An ice skating session can soon turn into disaster
if the ice is weak and breaks. If your dog does |
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get
loose and falls through the ice, don’t go after them. Current
death statistics show that your dog is more likely to survive this
kind of accident than you are.
If your dog is susceptible to the cold, kit them out with a warm
fleece or hand knitted sweater. Even a dog who does not suffer from
the cold might benefit from a water proof jacket in wet weather.
Don’t forget to treat yourself to some cold weather clothes
and sensible footwear too. Walks won’t be enjoyable and may
be cut short if you are wet and cold.
It is also worth bearing in mind that walks on wet grass will not
wear down your dog’s nails as much as the hard ground of summer.
Check your dog’s nails and cut or file them down if they get
too long.
Walking in the Dark
| Winter
walks can mean dark walks. If you are walking in the dark,
don’t forget to wear some reflective clothing. Even
a reflective band or sash will help you to be seen. Your dog
can wear one too. A safety
blinker is also a good idea. As the light fades a safety
blinker will help you and others to see where your dog is
and also help to avoid accidents. A safety
halo does a similar job. The EzyDog
collars and leads and the EzyDog
harnesses have reflective piping incorporated for enhanced
visibility at night. |
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Bringing
the Outdoors In
A common problem in wet weather after toilet breaks and walks is
your dog bringing the wet and mud in with them when they come back
through the door. One option is to buy a special dirt trapper mat.
Another idea is to train your dog to wait at the door instead of
racing inside with wet feet. A basic sit command at the door is
all that is required. This then gives you the opportunity to wipe
their feet before they go indoors.
Protect your Car
It is not only the inside of your home that suffers with wet and
muddy foot prints. If you are concerned about the interior of your
car then now is the time to kit it out with blankets or old towels
or buy a special car boot liner.
Sleeping in Comfort
As the nights get colder, don’t forget to check out your dog’s
sleeping area. Is it warm and cosy enough for those cold winter
nights? Don’t forget, there can be draughts down on the floor
that we aren’t necessarily aware of, so get down on your hands
and knees and check it out.
If your dog’s bed is not cosy and warm, treat them to a new
one. Here at D for Dog we have a very large selection of pet beds
from igloos to snuggle and fleece beds and an amazing range of memory
foam and speciality dog beds.
Another great idea for puppies, older dogs or dogs who need a little
bit of extra help coping with the cold is a pet bed warmer. The
Comfort 'n' Cool Dog Pillow is a simple,
safe and natural wheat hot and cold pack. Flectabed unique thermal
bedding works by reflecting lost body heat back onto your pet.
Outdoor Kennels
If your dog lives in an outdoor kennel for any period of time, check
that it is enclosed enough to cope with the winter months. Also
check for draughts and leaks that might have occurred since last
year. Annual maintenance is essential.
Bonfire Night
From mild fear to hair raising anxiety, many dogs are affected by
fireworks. For tips on dealing with the firework season, see our
article Surviving Bonfire
Night. Be aware that a dog that showed mild fear last year could
show greater fear this year. If their fear has escalated, nip it
in the bud now.
Trick
or Treat
If your dog is likely to get upset when children disguised as ghosts
come knocking on the door, either don’t answer the door or
make sure your dog is in another room or is suitably distracted.
What may be a harmless ghoul costume to us could be seen as a potential
threat to our dogs. If you have a bag of treats to hand out, make
sure they are kept out of reach of your dog.
The
autumn and winter months can be such a lovely time of year
for dog walking. The fresh air and change of scenery will
do everyone good. Enjoy. |
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